Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has defended the inclusion of some players in the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen handed invitation to unfamiliar faces, Gabriel Osho and Victor Collins for both games.

Real Sociedad striker, Umar Sadiq has also been recalled to the team despite his struggles at the Laliga club.

Eguavoen again opted against inviting the duo of Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers despite their impressive club form.

Ogunmodede, however, said the gaffer did a thorough job before coming up with the list.

“The head coach has come up with a list, discussed with us as his back-room staff and I think they are competent and capable to represent the country,” he told NFF TV.

“They are all familiar faces apart from Gabriel Osho who is new in the setup now because he had an injury and had to undergo surgery.

“Sadiq had been in the team for a while and was also out due to injury now he’s back and the coach felt we needed a left foot centre back and presently in the league, we have Victor Collins that has proven his worth.”